Richard B. Gunderman received his A.B. from Wabash College in 1983. He then earned his Ph.D. in 1989, and his M.D. in 1992 from the University of Chicago. Moving to Indiana University, Gunderman earned his M.P.H. in 2002.

Gunderman was appointed to IU's faculty in 1997. He is an Associate Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy in the Schools of Medicine and Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. He also teaches in the Center on Philanthropy and the Department of Philosophy and has made significant contributions to pedagogical literature. Gunderman has developed a number of unique courses in philosophy including Medicine's Human Image, Philosophy in the Epics of Homer, Religion and the Life Sciences, and Perspectives on Health, Disease, and Healing.

Gunderman is the author of several books including Essential Radiology published in 1998 and 2006, Achieving Excellence in Medical Education from 2006, and We Make a Life by What We Give, a book that explores the ethics of philanthropy, published in 2008. He has also authored more than 200 scholarly articles.

Gunderman serves as vice chair of the Department of Radiology and director of Pediatric Radiology at Riley Hospital for Children. He developed Leadership in Medicine, an elective course for fourth-year medical students at IU. Gunderman also works with colleagues to develop "teach the teachers" curricula for several national professional organizations, including the Association of University Radiologists, the American Roentgen Ray Society, and the Radiological Society of North America.

Gunderman's book, Essential Radiology, is one of the best-selling radiology textbooks in the English language. Gunderman is a five-time recipient of IU's Trustees Teaching Award, and the IU School of Medicine recognized him with its highest teaching honor, the Faculty Teaching Award, in 2006. In 2007 he received IUPUI's Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.